Could PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli be jumping the gun in putting pressure on Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to disclose terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Putrajaya on the state’s water restructuring exercise?
Khalid has gained a reputation for making calculated decisions on his own terms and it appears that his handling of the entire water deal, in negotiations since 2008, is no different.
Rafizi had on March 3 revealed a draft copy of the MoU and expressed concerns over the terms which he described as being “lopsided” and potentially illegal, warning that it could result in a water tariff hike in the state.
Khalid, however, later the same day described Rafizi's figures as being based on his “own assumptions” and contradicted data from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).
In response to mounting pressure for him to reveal terms of the MoU, Khalid maintained that the document is bound under the Official Secrets Act 1976 but he would do so in due time after obtaining “permission” from Putrajaya.
Khalid had on March 4 met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and he subsequently confirmed today (March 5) that the Selangor state government will draft another agreement with Putrajaya to incorporate further details regarding the water deal.
In a press conference after chairing the weekly state executive-council meeting today (March 5), online portal MalaysiaKini reported Khalid as saying that he is not interested to comment further on Rafizi’s allegations, as there is no proof, and would instead concentrate on the soon to be inked new deal.
Following Rafizi’s disclosure of the draft MoU, Khalid’s critics had insisted that he “comes clean” over the matter in the name of upholding transparency as well as to dispute rumours that he had used the water deal to broker a personal settlement over his reported debt with Bank Islam.
Under the initial MoU, Selangor will have full control over the operations of four water concessionaires - Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash) - and will place these under the state-owned Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Sdn Bhd (KDEB).
All four water concessionaires has also been given until March 10 to accept the state’s offer of RM9.65 billion and the state government, in return, would issue necessary approvals to facilitate construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant.
TheMalayMailOnline also reported Khalid as saying that the new agreement, to be signed as soon as possible, will be drafted by both the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and state-owned Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Sdn Bhd (KDEB).
“The federal government has agreed to sign a heads of agreement with the Selangor government, which contains a more comprehensive and detailed agreement on Selangor’s water restructuring plans.
“These developments show the commitment by both parties towards the MoU signed last week,” he added.
While PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself had reportedly said that he could not stop Rafizi from making public his concerns over the water deal, Khalid’s subsequent responses would make it appear as if the Pandan MP is being, for the lack of a more accurate English word, “menggelabah” (over-reacting to the situation).
Instead of responding to Rafizi, Khalid appears to have his own game plan in handling the water issue, even taking the unprecedented step of granting an interview to public broadcaster TV3.
It would also appear that Khalid is genuinely not interested in politicising the whole water issue and would rather take concrete steps towards fulfilling his promise of bringing about a long-term solution for the state.
Source: The Ant Daily
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